Commercial activities in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, came to a standstill on Thursday as operators of commercial vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles protested against a recent increase in fuel prices.
The protest, which began early in the day, saw demonstrators block major roads including Abdulazeez Attah, Geri Alimi, Oja Oba, Taiwo/Post Office, and Post Office/Maraba/Zango roads. This effectively halted vehicular movement and disrupted commercial activities throughout the metropolis. By midday, most commercial vehicles had ceased operations, leaving many commuters stranded at bus stations, waiting for transportation.
The protesters voiced their frustration, highlighting the sharp increase in fuel prices, which have risen to N1,200 per litre. “We are buying fuel at N1,200 per litre. We cannot get money to feed our family after fueling our vehicles,” some protestors lamented. They demanded that President Bola Tinubu reverse the fuel price hike to N200 per litre, echoing concerns about the impact on their livelihoods and the cost of living.
In response to the disruption, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has ordered the immediate deployment of buses to various parts of the city to assist commuters. According to a statement from the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the buses will provide free transportation to central destinations, particularly aiding those attending job placement interviews conducted by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
“The buses are to take people to the most central destinations free of charge. We hope that persons attending the SUBEB job placement interviews would find this helpful,” the statement read. It also noted the governor’s appeal to transporters and the public for patience while government stakeholders review the situation and work towards a resolution.
“The inconveniences are regretted, and we are confident that things will ease as soon as possible,” the statement added.
The situation remains fluid as authorities continue to address the issues raised by the protestors and work to mitigate the impact of the fuel price increase on daily life in Ilorin.
